United vacating Cleveland airport concourse

In this April 23 photo, a United Airlines jet departs in view of the air traffic control tower at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. With flight delays mounting, the Senate approved hurry-up legislation Thursday night to end air traffic controller furloughs blamed for inconveniencing large numbers of travelers. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

CLEVELAND (AP) – Officials at the Cleveland airport are trying to determine the potential impact of United Airlines’ decision to vacate one of its concourses.

The Plain Dealer newspaper reports that United notified the city and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Monday that it will consolidate all of its flights onto Concourse C, leaving the 16 gates in Concourse D vacant. That will happen starting June 5.

United previously announced it is cutting more nonstop flights from the Cleveland’s airport after deciding to drop its money-losing hub there.

Port Control Director Ricky Smith said the airport will work with United Airlines and concession manager Airmall Cleveland Inc. to assess the impact of United’s decision.

Smith said Cleveland’s workforce development office is working with United to help people affected by job cuts.

United Airlines has expressed interest in starting up daily service flights to Chicago from the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport in Vienna.

A feasibility study is being conducting and a local campaign is underway to help fund the operation.

Airport officials met with Youngstown city officials last week to talk about possible funding options.Youngstown City Council suggested the airport ask all local townships and municipalities for funding to help pay the remaining $330,000 needed to bring the airlines to the regional airport. The Cafaro Foundation also announced they are offering a $100,000 grant to help with funding.